Statement by Counsellor Mr. Kang Yong from the Chinese Delegation on the Issue of Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at the Third Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 NPT Review Conference

2009/05/07

New York, 7 May 2009

Mr. Chairman,

As the key cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), since its entry into force, has played an important role in the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the maintenance of international peace and security. Under the new circumstances, the international community is confronted with numerous new challenges in the area of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. There is an urgent need for the international community to adopt effective measures to maintain and enhance the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and eliminate the risks of proliferation of nuclear weapons, which is in the common interests of the international community.

Mr. Chairman,

The problem of proliferation of nuclear weapons is caused by complex factors. Regarding the non-proliferation issue, efforts should be made in the following aspects as a holistic approach which addresses both the symptoms and the root causes.

--The proliferation of nuclear weapons is interrelated with the international and regional security environment. Efforts should be made by the international community to foster a new security concept based on mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation, respect each other's security interests, and seek collective security so as to eliminate the incentives for seeking nuclear weapons.

--In order to address effectively the challenges faced by nuclear non-proliferation, it is important to maintain and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and to ensure the impartiality and nondiscrimination of the regime. Comprehensive, faithful and balanced compliance with all the obligations of the NPT should be guaranteed. Substantive measures should be adopted to enhance the universality, integrity and authority of the NPT. It is necessary to strengthen the safeguards function of the IAEA, to promote the universality of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and its Additional Protocol, and to further improve the international nuclear export control regime.

--Non-proliferation issues should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations. Either sanctions or resorting to force as well as taking non-proliferation as an excuse for other purposes are not conducive to the settlement of these problems. It is necessary to encourage the countries concerned to strengthen dialogue, enhance trust and reduce misgivings, and realize the normalization of relations among countries so as to pave the way for solution of non-proliferation issues.

--the relation between non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy should be developed in a balanced manner. Non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy are mutually reinforcing rather than contradictory. The guarantee of each country's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy is helpful for the achievement of the non-proliferation purpose. At the same time, all the countries should comply strictly with the responsibilities and obligations set out by the NPT, and should not take peaceful uses of nuclear energy as an excuse for proliferation activities.

Mr. Chairman,

China resolutely opposes, as always, the proliferation of nuclear weapons and addresses the non-proliferation issues in a highly responsible manner.

China has joined all the relevant international treaties and mechanisms in the nuclear area and implemented seriously the United Nations Security Council resolution 1540 and other non-proliferation-related resolutions. We have established a comprehensive nuclear export laws and regulations system and continued to ensure the implementation of relevant laws by adopting forceful measures.

Meanwhile, China participates actively in the international non-proliferation process and has made vigorous efforts to promote the settlement of nuclear issues in relevant regions.

Regarding the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, China always advocates a peaceful solution of the issue and achievement of the denuclearization of the Peninsula through dialogue. At present, the situation on the Korean Peninsula is very complicated and sensitive. The processes of the denuclearization of the Peninsula and the Six-Party Talks are confronted with some obstacles. China believes that the Six-Party Talks still serve as an important mechanism for addressing the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. The parties concerned, proceeding from the overall interests, should keep calm and exercise restraint, and work together to maintain the Six-Party Talks process and safeguard the continuous progress of the denuclearization process of the Peninsula.

China stands for a proper solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations. Now an important window of opportunity has been opened for resumption of negotiations. Parties concerned should seize the opportunity and step up their diplomatic efforts. The US and Iran should engage in direct contact as soon as possible, and negotiations between Iran and EU3+3 should be restarted at an early date, with a view to seeking a comprehensive, proper and long-term solution of the issue. China will continue to play a constructive role in this regard.